Next year's education budget holds major improvements for Bronx and city schools

As city leaders try to agree on next year's budget, there are some major sticking points regarding funding for Bronx and city schools. The 2006 Department of Education budget holds major improvements for schools. The changes include more funding for tutoring, English language classes and translation services. Out of the city's approximately $20 billion education budget, city leaders are expecting $1.8 billion to come from Albany. Just like last year, however, the state has not allocated that money in its own budget. Schools Chancellor Klein says the chances of state leaders handing over the funds anytime soon are very unlikely. But he says he remains optimistic and he's not going to change the budget until he's forced to.